US Bridges

Baxter Rd. over Arkansas River

Fair

Pueblo County, Colorado · 1 MI S of JCT US 50 · Structure no. K-18-BN

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
421 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
5,240
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Baxter Rd. over Arkansas River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Baxter Rd. over Arkansas River in Pueblo County, Colorado. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 years old, older than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 5,240 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,183 by 2041. The structure is 421 ft (128.2 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesBaxter Rd.
CrossesArkansas River
Location1 MI S of JCT US 50
RouteState Highway 0
CountyPueblo County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.25772, -104.49663
Functional classUrban Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating47.7 US tons
Inventory rating28.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadHS 20
Structure length421 ft (128.2 m)
Longest span78 ft (23.9 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,240 (2021)
Projected traffic6,183 by 2041
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Baxter Rd. over Arkansas River built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is Baxter Rd. over Arkansas River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in November 2024.

How much traffic does Baxter Rd. over Arkansas River carry?

About 5,240 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Baxter Rd. over Arkansas River?

The structure is 421 ft (128.2 m) long with a longest span of 78 ft (23.9 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Baxter Rd. over Arkansas River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.